The Purdue Pegboard test for surveillance of vibration-exposed workers.

BACKGROUND

Assessment of manipulative dexterity using the Purdue Pegboard test (PPT) is widely used to assist in the determination of the severity of sensorineural damage resulting from exposure to hand-transmitted vibration.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the methods of undertaking the test by occupational health professionals performing routine health surveillance for hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and the interpretation of the results obtained, thereby assessing the level of consistency of undertaking the test and of interpretation and subsequent use of that data for grading the severity of HAVS.

METHODS

A literature review was undertaken of the protocols used and normative data available in published studies. A three-round Delphi study was undertaken among a group of 31 occupational health professionals experienced in routine health surveillance for HAVS.

RESULTS

This study revealed a lack of consensus or consistency regarding the detailed method of undertaking the test. No published study was found that reported normative data for the totality of the range of working life, making it necessary to combine data from two or more studies when considering a working population.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a range of opinion regarding the method of use and interpretation of the PPT in determining the severity of sensorineural damage in HAVS, therefore confirming the subjectivity of conclusions regarding sensorineural grading. While greater consistency should be encouraged, this serves to emphasize the role of the PPT as one consideration in a holistic assessment rather than it being determinative in its own right.